Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott thinks Mikel Arteta is facing the “ultimate test” as he handles an early-season selection crisis.
Arteta is preparing for Sunday’s trip to Tottenham without suspended Declan Rice, while captain Martin Odegaard injured an ankle on international duty and new man Mikel Merino has a shoulder issue.
Walcott, who retired last year, thinks dominant Manchester City ’s big strength has been their squad depth. And with the champions coming to the Emirates in nine days’ time, the ex-winger believes Arteta’s fringe players must stand up and be counted.
“This is the final hurdle, when you have players injured and suspended,” he said. “This is where the squad depth counts, which Mikel has been working on.
“Some of the squad players need to step up now. That’s the difference with Man City. Every one of their squad players would start at any other club.
“Arsenal are slowly getting there but this is the ultimate test. They didn’t have many injuries last year so this will test Mikel and his capacity to deal with the injuries.
“You’d rather have this problem now than going into Christmas, when things really take shape.
“City are some beast to break but Mikel is the closest to it. They’ve got a great chance but they need to produce results with these injuries. City can deal with it, we’re about to see if Arsenal can.”
Walcott thrived in North London derbies, scoring five times against Spurs. He found White Hart Lane “a very intimidating place to play” but the catcalling only spurred him on.
“There was no fear for me going to Tottenham,” he adds. “If I was getting stick it always made me smile because they’re doing it for a reason – to try and inhibit you. I scored a lot of goals against them, I enjoyed the banter. I thought it was friendly, maybe they didn’t – and I think you just need to have a bit of fun.
“These are the games everyone wants to win. I hope the players understand the importance of it. Arsenal need to keep Tottenham where they feel they should be – always below them. But Tottenham are playing a refreshing, quick and explosive style.”
